MARIETTA, GA – As thousands gather for National Police Week this May to honor and remember those in law enforcement who have lost their lives, one nonprofit organization will be providing scripture-based jewelry to families of fallen heroes, to share an uplifting message and bring comfort to them.
That nonprofit is Point 27, which stands for “Point to Christ.”
As our readers may remember from our previous article on Point 27, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit was founded in 2014 by retired Army Colonel David Dodd. This organization has provided heartwarming scriptural messages of hope and encouragement in the form of jewelry for thousands upon thousands of members of the military, members of law enforcement, and bereaved families of fallen heroes.
Colonel Dodd told us:
“Point 27’s mission is to strengthen and encourage members of the Armed Forces, First Responders, and their family members, by sharing Dog Tags and Jewelry called Shields of Strength.
“Shields of Strength Dog Tags and jewelry serve as physical reminders of God’s love, forgiveness, hope, and strength.
“With my Identification Tags I wore a Shield of Strength Dog Tag engraved with Joshua 1:9 during combat deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“That verse strengthened me then, and it encourages me today.”
Joshua 1:9 reads:
“Have I not commanded you?
So buoyed by the message of his dog tag was Dodd that he arranged, while deployed, to distribute the same dog tag to members of the battalion under his command.
The recipients found that the inspiring message was a comfort to them, and Dodd from 2000 through 2011 continued to give away thousands of tags throughout the remainder of his career in the Army.
After his retirement from the Army, Dodd sought to continue his mission to distribute pieces engraved with scripture. Therefore, he founded Point 27, which not only distributes dog tags to members of the military, but also gives Thin Blue Line jewelry to those serving in law enforcement, and beautiful pieces to bereaved family members of the fallen.
So far, Point 27 has given Joshua 1:9 dog tags to 510,000 military service members, Thin Blue Line dog tags to over 250,000 members of law enforcement, and 38,000 folded flag pendants to bereaved families who have lost loved ones in military and law enforcement.
This brings us to National Police Week of 2022.
National Police Week brings together thousands of members of law enforcement and their families, to remember and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. This year, National Police Week is from May 11 through May 16.
For the fourth year, Point 27 will be providing Shields of Strength jewelry to family members of fallen officers attending National Police Week. In 2022, Point 27 will be distributing 5,950 pieces.
Dodd told us:
“The purpose of the jewelry is twofold.
“First, it is a tangible means to acknowledge the life and sacrifice of their Fallen Officer. We want each survivor to know we are forever grateful for their officer and we will never forget their sacrifice.
“Second, the necklace is a physical reminder we are never alone. God is with us always.
“In the book of Joshua, God said, ‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.’”
Dodd continued:
“He is with each survivor and he loves them so much he sent his Son to die for them.
“Jesus said, ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’
“At great costs, God provided a way for us to spend eternity in Heaven with Him and our loved ones. Wearing His Word just inches from our heart is a powerful reminder of His love.”
Point 27 will be offering three pieces of jewelry at National Police Week.
One piece is a Thin Blue Line dog tag necklace. One side features the Thin Blue Line flag. The reverse displays Matthew 5:9, which reads:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
The second piece is a beautiful necklace in the shape of an angel’s wing. On the front, the Thin Blue Line flag is incorporated into the wing’s feathers. On the reverse is the comfort of Psalm 91:11, which reads:
“He shall command His Angels to protect you wherever you go.”
The third piece is a necklace in the shape of a folded American flag. On the reverse is the inspiring verse John 15:13, which reads:
“Greater love has no one than this:
“To lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
In addition giving out those pieces to survivors at National Police Week, Point 27 also generously distributes scriptural jewelry to attendees of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) events. C.O.P.S. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting family members and co-workers of officers who have died in the line of duty.
As the jewelry’s recipients have attested, these pieces have a special place in the hearts of those who receive them, and they serve to help uplift and support survivors.
Dana Evans, survivor and Central Plains Region Trustee of the C.O.P.S. National Board, told us:
“I love to see the reactions of new survivors and seasoned survivors when they receive their necklace at NPW [National Police Week]!
“The new survivors are still in awe of the support and compassion they are shown by organizations like Point 27/Shields of Strength; and the seasoned survivors are reminded that their officer was important and is remembered, and that they will never be alone on their journey.
“I alternate wearing the different necklaces I’ve received at National Police Week and Adult Children’s retreat because each of them are like getting a hug from people who care.
“If I happen to have two necklaces alike I keep one handy to share with another survivor who needs that hug!”
Jennifer Lee, survivor and treasurer of Northern California C.O.P.S. shared:
“I love getting the necklaces at NPW and my Fiancé/Significant Other Retreat. I always add the newest charm to my officer’s badge necklace that I wear daily.
“Having lost so much already, the thin blue line necklace is a reminder that there is so much support out there on not only my worst days, but the good days also.”
Sara Slone, Communications Director for C.O.P.S., told us:
“I have watched as survivors have come to claim their gift from Point 27 and Shields of Strength during National Police Week.
“There have been some tears, but mostly just a feeling of gratitude of the support they are being given and for the honor their officers are receiving.
“Those initial reactions are even more special as you see the necklaces around the survivors’ necks the entire week, knowing they have a little piece of strength as they navigate their grief.”
For those who are inspired to back Point 27 in its Godly mission to bring hope, inspiration, and comfort to law enforcement and families of the fallen, Point 27 provides an easy way to get involved.
Dodd told us:
“From my experience, a lot of people want to do something for the Lord and for first responders, they just don’t know what to do, or who to trust with their donated funds.
“Point 27 is the answer they have been looking for. For a $2.00 donation, they enable Point 27 to give God’s Word on a TBL [Thin Blue Line] dog tag to an officer.”
He added:
“The purpose of the dog tag is twofold.
“First, it is a tangible way to thank an officer for their service and sacrifice. They need to know they are appreciated and supported by good men and women. They need to hear from the silent majority to better understand the vocal minority’s lies are not true.
“Second, the tag is a physical reminder, we are never alone. God is with each officer wherever they go. On patrol, during an apprehension, consoling a victim, late at night when violence creeps into an officer’s dreams/nightmares.
“God is there.”
Donors can support this worthy charity at this donation link for Point 27.
Point 27 is an all-volunteer organization with a number of volunteer positions available for those with a desire to help strengthen and encourage police officers and their family members.
Positions include website content manager, social media coordinator, writer, making phone calls to donors, and representing Point 27 while presenting Thin Blue Line dog tags to local law enforcement agencies.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Point 27 Team, please email David Dodd at david@point27.org.
This article was written by: Lizzy Murica|April 9, 2022
original Article Source: Law Enforcement Today
